The Memorial :
With the long overdue, warm Florida sunshine making it's welcome return, there was a memorial service held for Bob on Saturday morning, February 21st in Sanford.
It was appropriately held at the New Life Word Center Church.
As this is primarily a black church, it seemed to me to be the perfect setting in which to celebrate Bob's life, with his family, and many varied friends and associates sharing their personal memories and saying their final goodbyes.
Music was certainly the common theme and bonding point throughout this both touching and often humorous service.
With the rousing and inspirational opening song "He Reigns", performed by the New Life Word Center Raisers Choir, it was clear we'd all be remembering this day as something Bob himself would have loved.
Following the scripture readings, Pastor R.W. Merthie delivered his opening statements, which included thoughts on how "musicians are special and unique type people". It was a remark he would repeat several times that morning, one widely appreciated by the many musicians sitting amongst the large congregation.
These musicians included Bob's old Daytona friend Floyd Miles, who was unexpectedly volunteered to substitute as guest vocalist for the not-yet-arrived Sonny Rhodes. With the congregation's lively encouragement , Floyd then made his way to the pulpit to join the choir on "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".
First amongst the Greenlee family to speak was Bob's only brother, William who gave great insight into the type of person Bob was with his tales of their many fishing adventures together, and of Bob's early love of music as they were growing up in Illinois.
William's often emotional testimony was tempered with humor and belied an obvious mutual respect the two had for each other.
As he spoke you got the feeling it was becoming more and more apparent to him that his brother was truly gone.
Bob's quite articulate brother-in-law, Jon Laing spoke next, sharing equally funny and informative things about Bob, among them, facts about his prankster nature and various musical moments he recalled.
It was a pleasant, and thoroughly fitting surprise to see Bruce Iglauer had also made the journey to Fla. to speak of Bob. Bruce is the founder of the preeminent blues label Alligator Records in Chicago.
He and Bob had a history together going back to the 1980's when Bob traveled to see Bruce, while campaigning on behalf of Kenny Neal, an artist whose talent he truly believed in. Bruce spoke of Bob's inspiring nature and of his many creative abilities. "He was not about business, but all about the music" he said, as many in attendance nodded in agreement.
Following Bruce was a man truly unique in any setting…the always entertaining comedian and musician, the Reverend Billy C. Wirtz. Billy definitely provided the most hilarious moments of the day, with his brutally honest stand-up delivery style intact. He confessed that King Snake had always felt more like a "clubhouse" than a recording studio. As funny as he was however, his comical approach was infused with several serious moments of reflective and genuine sadness; feelings of loss and of a now departed friend.
Alligator recording artist Kenny Neal himself then came up to speak just a few specially chosen words about Bob, a man who had such a dedicated belief in him all those years ago.
After stating that he was much better at singing than talking, Daytona soul mate Floyd Miles also had a few remembrances to share, recalling his first real "break" coming with Bob way back in '61 while performing at The Pier. Floyd said the two had often referred to each other as "Coach" back in those beginning days, now over 4 decades ago.
Looking resplendent in his purple duster-length top coat and matching accessories, R&B singer Sonny Rhodes, who Bob had recorded shortly after meeting in 1989 spoke next, keeping his speech short and to the point.
He was followed by what was surely one of the purist, and to me, one of the most musically appropriate performances of the day. Quietly and choosing his words carefully, Bob's longtime veteran bandmate and lead guitarist for decades, Ernie Lancaster, described his last visit with Bob just days before. He then performed the instrumental tune "The Old Country Church, I Keep Thinking", playing crystalline slide on a metal- body resonator guitar to the totally silent and acoustically perfect room.
"This was the last guitar Bob ever played" he said, adding words both had spoken that day…"I Keep Thinking, But I Just Don't Know….".
With the morning's services wrapping up, singer and pianist Charles Atkins (who is blind) was led onto the stage and up to the piano to perform a song he had obviously written especially for the occasion, the very heartfelt, "I Remember Bobby". Anyone there who did not shed at least one tear during his performance should probably check themselves for a pulse.
With it's very straightforward, and sadly touching lyrics, you could hardly doubt the genuine nature of the motivation it took to write such a song.
It was one of the most unashamedly honest performances I've ever seen.
Ushers began passing tissue boxes at this point as if to confirm the mood within the room. As the song reached it's end (or so we thought) and gave way to applause and a standing ovation, they began to lead Charles back to his seat. Suddenly we realized he was having none of it, as he turned around and headed back to the piano to officially finish his song, which the ovation had unintentionally cut short !! As if to drive home the fact that this was it, his last chance to sing for his friend Bobby….
We should all have a friend like Charles Atkins.
Just when you thought the day's musical peaks had all been reached, Pastor Merthie introduced a member of the church who proved it was not quite over yet. She was one of Bob's most recent "discoveries" at King Snake; soloist extraordinaire, LaTeisha Dixon. With a truly awe-inspiring and Whitney Houston-like intensity, this young lady brought the house to it's feet once again, performing a letter perfect version of the gospel classic "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". Her obvious talent was quite evident to everyone there. I observed several people who came up to her later in the day with words of praise, expressing how affected they had been by her stunning performance. Myself included.
It was the icing on the cake really, capping off a very moving tribute to an obviously well loved and uniquely talented man.
The Reception :
Immediately following the memorial service, everyone gathered at the Greenlees' lakeside home for an outdoor luncheon/reception and family reunion, which lasted long into the night. Included of course was lots of live music, featuring many of Bob's King Snake artists and collaborators. It was a terrific day of celebration and fellowship, bringing together so many who all had at least one thing in common….Bob Greenlee. The studio next door was also left open of course, for anyone who wanted to take a visit inside, as friends and associates mingled throughout the grounds. Hopefully the legacy of King Snake and the attention it brought to the value of Blues music itself will continue for many generations to come. I know Bob would have wanted it that way.